Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



13 1927. Sept H. o. HOLTE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1926 INVENTORZ Ala-ba m Wm 1M);

wax-M -uw OW Q m 0% RN mfl 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. O; HOLTE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1926 mm 6m M K M m D N QAINQ h w. [WMJ NNN WM. mam V1 VM 3 mm Sept. 13 {1927.

o 23 0g 7 a 2 V 3 M\ w W Patented Sept. 13, 1927, I

. U ITED STATES PATE T orr es.

' mam '.v OLTE, DECEASED, E or rrrr'sisnnen, P NNs LvANImBY HALVOR, HoL'rE, ADMINISTRATOR, or GRO'OKSTQN, INNEso'rA, ASSIGNOR ro THE UNI N on iENNSYLVANIA.

swm'on & SIGNAL COMPANY, or swIssvALn; PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION -RAIL AY-TRArFIo-oo irnonmNG APPARATUS.

Application filed. July 2,

y The, invention relates to railway tra'flic controlling apparatus, andparticularly to.

I apparatus of thetype Comprising governing means controlled by alternating currentsfiowing in the trackway. 1

Two forms of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying the inventionwill be described and the novel features thereof will then be pointed out in claims In the accompanying draw ngs, Flg. 1 1s a diagrammatic View showing one form of I I railway trafiic'controlling apparatus embodying the invention as applied to a signaling system. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a modified form of railwaytraflic controlling apparatus embodying theinvention-as applied to the control oftrains. a a Similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts in'both views. I

, Referringfirst to Fig. l, the reference characters 1 and 1 designate the track rails of-astretchc of railway track over which trafiicnormally moves in the directionindi-. cated bythe arrow; J These rails are divided,

by means of insulated joints 2, into a plu 'rality of successive track secti0ns;AB,

, B'C, etc. Each track section is provided nected across the I rails adjacent end of the associated'section;

- with atransformerdesignated by the ref-i er'en'cecharacter T'witha suitable dist1nguishingexpon'entand comprising a single-1 primary i and two secondaries?) and6 hav-L- ing a: common'terminal d. The primary 4 of. each transformer' Txis constantly con- 3 Associated with each transformerT is a' vibrating rectifier .de'signated'by the refer ence character D with; an exponent correspending to the location and-comprising an: operating winding'12 and a vibrating reed 11 shown inthe drawing in its central position; is constantly supplied with alternatingcurrent from a suitable: source of' e-nergy such analternator' M overline wires 3 and 3 7 Thereed ll'ofieach rectifier D therefore operatescontinuously and each reed may be, roughly tuned, as by a'slidable weight 11 r p w -malrelativepolarity is be ng supplied to the rails, of section A B, the electromotiveforce of the secondary of transformer T is in qphase with the displacementof reedl l of rectifier D Assuming that under these con- 7 is not essential.

Each track section is also'provided with a a polarized direct current relay designated the entrance" The windingalQ of each-rectifier D;

1926. SerialNo. i 20,130.,

T, through the rectifier D associated therewith, as will hereinafter appear.

The rails of each section are supplied with alternating current bya transformer designated bythe reference characterJ with a suitable distinguishing exponent. The primary? of eachtransformerJ isconstantly supplied with alternating current from line wires 3 and 3 'Referringparticularly to the apparatu located at point B, when relay K 7 is energized,c urrent of one relative polarity, which I will term normal relative polarity is supplied to the rails of section A-B,oVer

- front contact 27 of relay K the circuit pass- 7 ng from one terminal of winding 8 of transformer 'J through wire 26, front contact 27 a of relay K and wire 28 to rail 1, and from rail l through wire 29, impedance 13, and

wire 8U backto winding: 8 of transformer J vWhen relay -K is de energiz'ed, however, current of; the opposite relative polarity,

which I will term reverse relative polarity, is supplied to-the rails of section A-B from secondary 9 oftrans'former 'J over a circuit whlch passesfrom one term nal of winding 9,; through wire 31, back contact 27 of relay ,K andwire 28 to rail .1 and fromlrail 1 through wire 29, impedance 13 and wire3l back to windingfi of transformer J The circuits for-each "of the remaining transformers J are similar to those just'traced for 1et1ansformer J3, and it follows therefore that the railsof-eaclrsection,and hence primary 4 0f. the associatedtransformer T are supplied with alternating current of one relative polarity or the other according as the relay li foi" the section 'nextinj advance is energiz'ed or de-energiZedQ 'The current in the secondary .ofeach tr'ans- Iformer; T is bestrecti'fied when the electromojtive force of zthe secondary is in phase witlnfor 180 out; of phase wit-lhthe displacement of reed ll iof-the"associated rectifier D.

It will be assumed: that when current of norditions the reed ll of the rectifier is swung; to the rightinto engagement with contact Ill-Ill when the upper terminal oi secondary is positive with respect to the commonv terminal d. current oi what will he termed normal polari'ty will flow through relay so that current will llow in, the same direction as before through relay 1 1- from secondary 6 of transformer 'l as long as contact 11-511" closed. It follows that when current oi normal relative polarity is lacing sup plied to the "ails or section ill-15, relay i l is continuously supplied with rectified current which flows at all times in the same direction through this relay. Under these conditions the front contacts ot the relay are closed and armature 17 is; swung to the lettto close its normal contact. m

\Vhen the rails of section Al3 are supplied with current of reverse relative polarity, however. the elcctromotive force of the secondary o't transformer T will he lSU out of phase with the displacement of reed 11 of rectifier 1). It follows that terminal. (Z will be positive with respect to the upper terminal of secondary 5 when contact 11- 11." is closed and tern'iinal (5 will be positive with respect to the lower terminal o'l secondary 6 when contact 11- 11 is closed. Under these conditions, then. current will at all times flow through relay 11-" in the same direction but the direction of this current will he opposite "from the direction of the current which flows through the relay when winding -jl of transformer '1 is supplied with normal relative polarity. The polarity of the current supplied to relay K when primary -l; supplied with current of reverse polarity will he called reverse polarity, and when thc relay is supplied with such current its :lront contacts will he closed and armature 1'7 will be swung to the right to close its reverse contact. The operation ot the remaining relays K is similar to that of relay K and will. he understood without further explanation.

Each section is provided with a traclnvay signal dcsigi'iated by the reference character S with a suitable exponent and each co1nprising, as here shown, three electric lamps (ii, and R. hen relay 1C is energized by current oi normal polarity, current llows from secondary of transformer J, through wire 14;, front contact 15 of relay K wire 16, normal contact 17 of relay K"; wire 18, lamp G and wires 19, 20 and 21 hack to secondary 10 of trai'istorn er J, thereby lighting lamp G to display a pro coed indication. When relay K is ener sized by currei'it of reverse relative polarity, current llows from secondary 10 of transformer J, through wire 14;, :lront con tact 15 of relay ll, wire 11.6, reverse contact 1? ol relay ll. wire 22, lamp Y", and wires 2%, E20 and 21, hack to secondary 1O olitransflormer T. \Vhcn this circuit is closed lamp Y is lighted to give a caution indication. When relay K is (lo-energized. as by the presence of a train in section i l-13, hacl-z contact .15 of relay K closed and current l'lows from secondary 10 ot' transl'oriner J, through wire 151:, hack contact 15 of relay hi. wire tZ-Ll, lamp ll, and wires and :21. hack to secondary 10 ot traiistormer J. llhcn this circuit is closed lamp ll is lighted to give a slop indication. Each of the remaining lamps (i, and ll is controlled. by the associated relay K in a manncr similar to that just described in connection with lamps G l, Y and B".

As shown in the drawing, sections l'.\B and ll- -(l are imoccupied, and a train, indicated diagranunatically at V, occupies the section to the right of point C. Current is therefore shunted away From primary 1 oit' trmisformer T and no current is siipplied to relay K although rectifier D operates continuously. Relay K is therefore decncrgiiced and lamp It is lighted to aim a stop indication. Back coi'itact 2T 01: rela'v ll being closed. current of reverse relative polarity is supplied to the rails of section l'lC from secondary 5.) oil transformer J This current is supplied to primary a of transformer 'l. and since rectifier D" is onerated continuously. 'lherelay It is supplied with current of? reverse polarity so that this relay is energized in the reverse direction. Lamp Y is thcreil.orc lighted to indicate caution, and current oil normal relativepolarity is supplied to the rails of section rl--ll from sccmidarv oi? transformer J over front ccmtact 27 of relay K Cru'rent 01 normal relative mlarity is tlieretore supplied to n'imary .4- o't transformer T and current oil normal relative polarity energizes relay H Lamp G is therefore lighted to indicate proceed, and current o't normal rclativo polarity is supplied to the rails of the sectionto the left oi. point A.

Referring now to Fig.3. 2. in the train control s item here illustrated, each track section is provided with a track relay designated hy the reference character H with in exponent correspoinlingr to the location and comprising a movable. contact 32 arraiuged to occupy a lelt-hand or normal position, a right-hand or reverse position, or an intermediate position, according as the rel-av is supplied witli currei'it of normal relative polarity, reverse relative polarity or is deenergized. l lach track relay ll connected across the rails adjacent the entrance end of the associated. section. Each track sec lllt) tion supplied with alternating traek'circuit'current from a tr'aclrtransformer desig:

natedby the reference character P with an exponent corresponding to the location and having a secondary 34 constantly connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the corresponding section through the impedtime 13. The supply of alternating cur- 8 of the associated transformer J. It folv rent to-primary 33 of each track transformer "P' is controlled-by the adjacent track relay so that when that relay is energized in either direction current of normal relative polarity is supplied to primary 33 from winding 9' of the adjacent transformer J, but 'thatwhen the track relay is de-energized', current of reverserelative' polarity is supplied to the primary 33 from secondary lows that the rails of each section are supplied with trackflci-rcuit current of normal relative polarity orkreverserelative polarity according as the track relay for the section next in advance is energized or de-energized.

Means are also provided for supplying the rails of each section with loop current which flows through the rails of the section in parallel. For this purpose each section section is a loop'transformer, designated by the reference character L with an appropriate exponent and located adjacentthe exit end of the corresponding section. Primary 36'ofeach loop transformer L is constantly supplied with alternating-current' from line wires 3 and 3 and the. secondary 35 of. each loop transformer L is constantly con-' nected to the mid-pointof resistor 37 of the associated section throughan auxiliaryconductor which extends throughout the section'parallel'to the railsland is designated in the drawing by the reference character X. It follows that loop current is constantly supplied to the rails of each section.

Theloop current and track circuit current. supplied to the rails of the sections control governing means located on a train V occupying the section to the leftof a point A. ,This train is provided with two receiversv {E and F' each comprising two magnetizablejcores43 and 4L3 carried on the train in in- I ductive relation with the two track rails 1 and l 'respectively.

I Core43 is provided with a winding 44:, and cores? is provided with a similar winding 44% The receiver- F is located in advance of the forwardaxle' 42 of the train andthe, windings 4,4 and 448 of thisv receiver are connected in series in such manner that the voltages induced therein by track circuit current flowing in opposite directions in the two track rails at an instant are additive. Receiver F is connected through a suitable amplifier 48 with an auto transformer T. The receiver -E is located in rear of the forward axle of the train, usually between the locomotive and the tender, and the windings Hand 4% of this receiver are connected in seriesin such manner that the voltages induced thereinbyloop current flowing in the same direction in the two track rails at an instant are additive. The receiver E is connected through a suitable amplifier L5 to the operating winding'12 of a vibrating rectifier D1; The relay K is provided with two circuits, .one including winding 5 of transformer T and contact l'l1l of rectifier D, andthe otherincluding windingfi of transformer T'and contact 11l1 of rectifierYD. The relayK'is supplied with recti-.

fied current of one polarity or the other in accordance with the relative polarities-of the currents supplied to winding 12 and transformer T in a manner similar to the control of relay K in F ig; l. The parts are so arranged that when the train occupies a stretch of'track which is being supplied with loop current and with track circuit current 'Of I10l1T 121l relative polarity, relay K is supplied with rectified current of normal polarity" so that the relay is energized in the normal Cll160lllOIl;'COIllJ-21Ct 17 is then swung 'toJthe-lef't and front contact 51 is closed. Current therefore flows from a suitable sourceof energy such as a battery 50 through lamp G to display a proceed indication. lVhen thetrain occupiesa stretch of'track which is being suppliedwith track circuit current of reverse relative polarity and also with loop current, relay K is supplied with rectified currentof reverse polarity thereby closing front contact 51, swingingcontact 17 to the right, andclosing the circuit for lamp Y. This lamp thereforebecomes lighted to. indicate caution. if the'supply of" loop current to the train isfor any reason inter-V rupted the rectifier D ceases to operate and position in which it is illustrated in the drawing and relay K' is de-energized If the reed ll then occupies its intermediate the supply of track circuit currentto the train is interrupted, no current is supplied to relay'K and this relay becomes de-energized. In case either loop current or track circuit current is interrupted, therefore, the de-energ zation 'ofrelay K closes the circuit for lamp R" at back contact 51, and a stop indication is received onthe train. 7 As shown in the drawing the section tothe' right of point C is occupied'by a train V. Relay H is therefore de-energized andcurrent of reverserelative polarity is supplied to the rails of section B G. Loop current is constantly supplied to this; section by trans'l'ormer l1. Relay H energized in the reverse direction and track circuit current of normal relative polarity supplied he rails of section AB by transformer loop current is supplied to the rails of this section by transformer L. in similar manner relay H is energized in the normal direction and loop current and track circuit 'urrent ol' normal relative polarity are supplied to the rails of the section to the left of point A by transformers Ir and P respectively.

1t will now be assumed that the train V n'oceials through the stretch of track shown in the drawing. As this train proceeds through r 1 lion .1\:li. the phase relation oil. the loop current and the track circuit current supplied through receivers E and F to the rectifier D and transformer T is such that relay K is energized in the normal tlll'Ptt'lOll and lamp G" is lighted to indicate proceed. lVhen the. train enters section ll---(] however, the reversal of the polarity ol" the track circuit current causes relay hi to be supplied with current ol reverse polarity so that lamp Y is lighted to indicate caution. thcn the train enters the section to the right of point C the interruption of track circuitcurrent due to the shunting: ell'ect of the wheels and axles of train occupying this section interrupts the supply of current to transformer T on the train V so that relay K becomes tie-energized and lamp ll lighted to give a stop indication.

In the absence of some preventative means the reactance ol the track rails and the laikage of the current from the tracl: rails through the ground might result in displace- .ment of the phase relatirms between the loop current. and the track circuit current at. ditt- :lercut points in any given section. blince the operation of the relay K depends upon the phase relation ol these currents in the por tion of track which is occupied by the train, such variation in phase relation would be undesirable. and to prevent its occurrcuie a number at reactors -ltl are introduced in the auxiliary conductor X at; spaced points throughout the section. A. plurality ol non- .inductive lealiaue paths represented in the drawing;- by resistances eitl are provided between this conductor and the ground, one of these resistances :lzl being; connected between thecouductor and the p roun d ll between each two adjacent reactors 39. T he decedent has disco "cred that with this arrangement the phase relation between the loop current and.

the track circuit current is substantially constant at all points in the section. It should he noted that with this arrangement the loop current in the rails is of: considerably greater magnitude adjacent the ends of the section than at; the middle of the section because a portion of the loop current flows from the rails to the auxiliary conductor through the 1,642,58&

Iiil

however because the loop current operates the rectifier l) and the only ellcct of in-- creased current is to increase the power available at the entrance end oil? a section to pick up the relay K, and the diminishing loop current which is supplied to the train at intermediate points in the section is suillicient to hold this relay in its energized condition after the relay has once been, energized.

Attention should also be directed to the 'l'act that the control oi: the polarity ol? the track circuit current by track relay ll in Fig. :2 could be accomplished by the relay 1; connected as shown in Fig. it. Either the relays K in Fig. l or the track relays H in Fig. 2 can be utilized to operate governing means. not shown in the drawing, in any desired niauncr.

One advantage of; the traillic controlling apparatus embodying relays controlled .in accordance with the iuicratiou of relay hf. is that successful, operation can be accon1- plishcd by extremely smallv values ol current in the track rails.

Another advantage is that since the rectilier D is mechanically tuned to a given itrequency the system is substantially immune to the ellects of alternating currents of a :lfrei'piency other than that at which the apparatus is intended to operate.

As illustrated in the drawings the supply oi. alternating current to the rails for the control of relay it. is uniutcrrupted, but the amaaratus could. be use l equally well in conjunction with track circuit currents or loop currents either or both ol' which are periodi cally interrupted.

Although only two forms of railway trafl'ie controllingapparatus embodying the invention are herein shown and described. i t is understood, that various changes and moditications may be made therein within the scope oi? the appended claims without dc parting Ill'UIll the spirit and scope ot the invention,

llaving: thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In. combination. a section of railway track. means tor supplying the rails of said section with altcrnatiiur current of one relative polarity or the othtur a relay responsive to the polarity of the current supplieijl thereto a rectifier, and means including the rectitier tlior Sll])1)l \l1l the relay with current of one polarity or the other depending upon the relative polarity of the alternating current- 'l.l.( \l'll1 in the track rails.

2. In combination, a section of railway track, means for supplying the rails of said section with alternating current of one relative polarity or the other a relay receiving energy from the track rails and responsive tothe polarity of the current supplied theree to; and a rectifier interposed between said current for supplying the relay with recti-' fied current of one polarity or the other depending upon the phase relation of the current supplied to therectifier with respect to the currentfrom'saidsource.

4L. Railway traific controlling apparatus comprising a transformer, a vibrating rectifier, means for separately supplying said transformer and rectifier with alternating currents, the phase relation of which depends upon trafiic conditions, a polarized direct current relay, means including said rectifier for supplying rectified current of one polarity or the other to'said relay from said transformer depending upon the phase relation of such currents, and governing means controlled by said relay in accord ance with the polarity of the current supplied to the relay.

5. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of railway track, a transformer, a vibrating rectifier, means for separately supplying said transformer and said rectifier wit-h alternating currents the phase relation of which depends upon traffic conditions in said stretch, a polarized direct current relay supplied with rectified current of one polarity or the other from said transformed by said rectifier in accordance with the phase relation of such alternating currents, and governing means controlled by said relay in accordance with the polarity of the current supplied to the relay.

6. Railway traffic controlling apparatus comprising a stretch of railway track, a transformer, a vibrating rectifier, means for separately supplying said transformer, and said rectifier with alternating currents, means responsive to trafiic conditions for controlling the phase of the current supplied to said transformer, a polarized direct current relay supplied'with' rectified current of one polarity or the other from said transformer by said rectifier in accordance with the phase relation of suchalternating currents, and governing means controlled by said relay in accordance with the polarity of the current supplied to the relay.

7. In combination, a stretch of railway V track, a vibrating rectifier constantly supplied with a first alternating current, means for supplying a second alternatlng current to the rails of the stretch, a transformer receiving energy from the rails of the stretch,

means responsive to traflic conditions for controlling the phase relation of said two alternating current-s, a polarized direct current relay, means including said rectifier for supplying said relay with rectified current of one polarity or the other depending upon the phase relation of saidtwoalternating currents, and governing means controlled by said relay; V

, 8. In combinatioina stretch of railway track, a vibrating rectifier constantly supplied with a first alternating current, means for supplying a second alternating current to the rails of the stretch, a transformer connected with the rails of the stretch, means responsive to traffic'conditions for controlling the phase relation of such alternating currents, a polarized direct current relay, means including said rectifier for supplying said relay with rectified current of one polarity or the other depending upon the phase relation of said two alternating currents, and a trackway signal controlled by said relay.

9. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a vibrating rectifier for each section constantly supplied with alternating current, a transformer for each section having its primary connected with the rails of the associated section, a polarized direct current relay for each sec- Sui tion, means for each section including the associated rectifier for supplying rectifiedv current of one polarity or the other to the corresponding relay from the secondary of the adjacent transformer depending upon. the relative polarityof the current supplied to such transformer, means controlled by each track relay for supplying the rails of the sect-ion next in rear with alternating current of one relative polarity'or the other according as the relay is energized or deenergized, and governing means for each section controlled by the corresponding relay in accordance with the polarity of the current supplied to such relay.

10. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a train carried rectifier, a train carried transformer, means located partly in the trackway for supplying said rectifier and the primary of said transformer with alternating currents the phase relation of which depends upon traflic conditions, a polarized direct current relay, and means including said rectifier for supplying the relay with current of one polarity or the other from the secondary of said transformer depending uponthe phase relation of said alternating currents.

11. Railway traiiic controlling apparatus 15 inserted at spared intervals in said auxiliary conductor. a plurality of leakage paths between said conductor and the ground, one such leakage path being located between each two :n'ljacent reactors, means for supplying alternating" track circuit current to the rails of the stretch in series, and means located on a train and responsive to the phase relation of the t 'ack circuit current and the loop currentin the rails under such train.

12. In combination, a polarized direct current relay, a transformer winding means for connecting the mid-point of said transformer winding with one terminal of said relay, :1 rectifier having an operating Windin; and a vibratable reed, two contacts controlled by said reed and arranged to be operated alternately when said operating" Winding is energized, means controlled by said contacts for connecting the two terminals respectively of said transformer Winding with the remaining terminal of said relay, and means for separately supplying the operating winding of said rectifier and said transformer winding with alternating currents of different phase relations whereby current of one polarity or the other supplied to the relay depending upon the phase relation 01 such alternating currents.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

I-IALVOR HOLTE, Administrator of Harold 0. Malta, deceased. 

